The MSc International Relations is an advanced, academic study of the subject. It is suitable if you plan to progress to a career that might have an international focus. The MSc International Relations (Research) is designed as a preparation for research work and includes compulsory methodology courses.

Both of these programmes explore the relationship between the real world of international relations and the theoretical frameworks employed to understand it. The MSc in International Relations Theory, however, is a more specialist programme in which the focus on the theoretical dimension of the subject is more concentrated.

Students on the MSc International Relations Theory programme take a specialist core course (Theories of International Relations) which has three main components: the examination of IR as a distinct academic discourse; the exploration of the relationship between IR and other social sciences; and the examination of the connections between the theory and practice of international relations.

International Relations Theory students also choose from a menu of theoretically-focussed courses for their second paper before taking a third course from either the IR Department, or certain other departments around the School.

Although the two programmes 'MSc in International Relations' and 'MSc in Global Politics' share certain options and are both concerned with world politics, they are distinctive in their approaches and concerns.

The MSc in International Relations is primarily concerned with the theories and paradigms that are central to International Relations as a distinctive discipline, and these are the focus of its core course.

The MSc in Global Politics has 'globalization' as its central unifying theme. Its core course is focused on arguments about how world politics are shifting from an 'inter-state' to a 'global' framework and it encompasses contributions from Political Science, Development Studies and International Relations.

As the compulsory papers for the MSc IR and MSc IR Research differ, and transfer between the two programmes on arrival will not normally be possible, it is advisable to list the two programmes separately as first and second choices.

Unfortunately, there is a disadvantage to applying without a strong educational background. We do sometimes take on a few 'cross over' students in any given year, but the bulk of our students have done well in one of the relevant social science subjects (listed above in Question 11).

Although relevant work experience is taken into account, your academic background will be considered of most relevance.

If you applied last year when the MSc IR/MSc IR Research programme was already full but you have the requisite qualifications, it may be worthwhile re-applying. As to the likelihood of your being accepted, this will depend on the quality and number of other applications.

If you applied last year when the MSc IR/MSc IR Research programme was not full, it is unlikely that you would be successful second time around.

Apart from the 10,000 word Dissertation, the majority of subjects are assessed with an unseen examination during the Summer Term. However, a number of courses make use of mixed modes of assessment and require an assessed essay along with a final examination. There are also some courses that are assessed solely on the basis of an assessed essay.

Your 10,000-word Dissertation has to be submitted in August 2019. Once your exams have finished you are not required to stay in London as you can upload your Dissertation electronically by the deadline.

A half unit runs either in Michaelmas Term or Lent Term. A full unit course runs through Michaelmas and Lent Terms. Two half units may be taken in place of one full unit - see the MSc IR Programme Regulations for details.

We have a small number of part-time places in any given year. The part-time programme takes two years. Part-time MSc IR students normally take the compulsory paper, International Politics, and one option in year 1 and the second option and the 10,000-word Dissertation in year two. See programme regulations for details.

Part-time MSc IR Research students normally take the compulsory papers, Theory of International Relations, and Foundations of Social Research, in year 1 and the optional paper and the 10,000-word Dissertation in year two. See programme regulations for details.

Lectures and seminars are normally held during office hours. However, as a part-time student, we would certainly be sensitive to your timetabling needs and, where a choice of seminar groups exists, we would allocate you to one that was most convenient to you.

Unfortunately the Sessional Timetable is not normally finalised until a few weeks before the start of the session, so we are unable to answer questions about the likely spread of teaching over the academic year before you make an application.

The MPhil/PhD is a research degree programme leading either to the MPhil or PhD. All our research students register initially for the MPhil but the vast majority are upgraded to the PhD. Occasionally, a student applies for the MPhil with no intention of going on to the PhD. Applicants to our MPhil/PhD research programme are normally expected to have an MSc qualification in IR or a related discipline. Please see our FAQ for prospective MPhil/PhD International Relations applicants for further information about applying for the MPhil/PhD.

The MSc IR/MSc IR Research, by contrast, is a 12-month taught postgraduate degree course. Those wishing to go on to take a research degree after the MSc may find it useful to take the MSc IR Research programme rather than the MSc IR programme as the former includes a component of research training.

This will NOT normally be possible. You must also not accept an offer for the MSc IR or MSc IR Research in the expectation of switching to another programme within the School (e.g. your first choice for which you have been turned down) once you arrive.

You would be most unwise to accept a second choice offer in the expectation of switching. This would only be possible if: (a) the MSc IR/MSc IR Research intake target was not met, which is not usual; (b) the selector was willing to accept you; and (c) your second choice department was prepared to release you.

We expect applicants to apply in good faith to begin the course in the academic year indicated. However, if you are made an offer for 2018 entry and circumstances arise which result in your wishing to defer to 2019, you should contact Graduate Admissions (see below) at the point when you realise that you will not be able to take up the offer in 2018.

Deferral is not automatic and will require the approval of the selector.

If your academic background or first degree grades/predicted grades do not reach the standard noted in FAQs 11-12 above, this will undoubtedly form part if not all of the explanation for your rejection.

We also have to turn away good candidates due to the popularity of the MSc IR programme, so you may fall into this category. Unfortunately, competition is fierce and detailed feedback is not possible.

Yes, LSE and the Elliott School of International Affairs at The George Washington University in Washington, DC have entered into an arrangement whereby LSE graduate students and recent alumni are eligible to apply to take the Elliot School's Master of International Studies (MIS) degree program in one rather than the usual two years.